String handling
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use string handling techniques to find things out about a string.
Key learning points
- A string is a collection of characters.
- String handling is using techniques and built-in functions to find out information about strings.
- The len() function is used to return the length of a string.
- The index number is used to retrieve a single character from a specified position in a string.
- For loops can be used to iterate through some or all of the items in a string.
Keywords
String handling - how programs manipulate text through operations like joining, searching and formatting
Index - the location of items or elements in a list, array or string
For loop - an iterative statement that will repeat for the length of a given sequence
Common misconception
Operations in programs can only be performed on numbers.
Operations can be performed on different types of data. What the operator does can change depending on the data type it is being used with.
Teacher tip
String handling can be used is conjunction with file reading. Extend program to read a text file and process each line using some of the functions in the lesson.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device that can edit and run Python programs. Examples in this lesson use the RPF Code Editor https://oak.link/python-editor
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does a for loop do in Python?
Q2.What does range(5) generate in Python?
Q3.What is the purpose of an if statement in Python?
Q4.Which of these is not a valid condition in an if statement?
Q5.What does the else part of an if statement do?
Q6.Match the terms with their definitions.
executes a block of code repeatedly for a sequence
checks a condition and executes code if it's True
executes code when the if condition is False
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the term for a collection of characters enclosed in quotes in Python?
Q2.What is the index number of the first character in a string in Python?
Q3.What will len("Quiz") return?
Q4.What happens when you use a for loop with a string?
Q5.Which of these is not a valid operation on a string?
Q6.Which of the following is true about operations in Python?
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: String handling, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: String handling, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Programming: strings and lists unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.